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Smashed Window from Typhoon

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  1. #1

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    Smashed Window from Typhoon

    My flatmates window was completely smashed from the typhoon and currently our landlord has set up the arrangement to get it fixed.

    Now the problem that we face is that his room is destroyed, with his mattress and his walls being completely damp. Cause of this, mold has been growing on his walls at a rapid pace. Also, he received an injury as a bit of the debris glass hit and got stuck in his head (minor), resulting in him going to hospital and being signed off for 4 days.

    Currently both of us have found temporary accommodation while the room gets fixed. My room is perfectly fine, but I am concerned with the mold (have sensitive skin) that is growing on his wall which is in line with my room. All of his belongings are in the living room which is taking up the majority of space.

    I was wondering what action can we take in regards to rent and compensation? Obviously his room is not in a livable condition, whereas mine can be deemed as. However, with the room growing mold rapidly and the mattress stinking up the flat, it is not an environment I want to be in. In an ideal situation, we will not pay rent from the time the event happened (16th of September) till the flat is completely clean and the room is in a livable condition again.


  2. #2

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    i hope you have home content insurance

    one of many available
    https://www.citibank.com.hk/english/...ance/index.htm

    Fiona in HKG likes this.

  3. #3

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    I can't comment on the situation in HK, but when similar happened to me in the UK, damage caused by an issue with the structure of the property (ceiling caved in), it was covered by the landlord's buildings insurance, rather than my contents insurance. I initially claimed on my contents insurance, but my insurer then claimed it back from the landlord's insurer. I was refunded rent for the number of days the room was uninhabitable, and my flatmates were refunded for the days there were noisy workmen in the flat.


  4. #4

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    if you have wet damages and possiblity of mold on curtains, mattress, sofa, carpet, use chemdry, they are awesome, my company has used them through the world for past decade for several hundred claims, they will eliminate the possibilty of mold or wetness using their specialised cleaning techniques, there is a branch in hk which we have quite a few times

    Cwbguy, jgl and SpeakCantonese like this.

  5. #5

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    Quote Originally Posted by Cegaiga:
    My flatmates window was completely smashed from the typhoon and currently our landlord has set up the arrangement to get it fixed.

    Now the problem that we face is that his room is destroyed, with his mattress and his walls being completely damp. Cause of this, mold has been growing on his walls at a rapid pace. Also, he received an injury as a bit of the debris glass hit and got stuck in his head (minor), resulting in him going to hospital and being signed off for 4 days.

    Currently both of us have found temporary accommodation while the room gets fixed. My room is perfectly fine, but I am concerned with the mold (have sensitive skin) that is growing on his wall which is in line with my room. All of his belongings are in the living room which is taking up the majority of space.

    I was wondering what action can we take in regards to rent and compensation? Obviously his room is not in a livable condition, whereas mine can be deemed as. However, with the room growing mold rapidly and the mattress stinking up the flat, it is not an environment I want to be in. In an ideal situation, we will not pay rent from the time the event happened (16th of September) till the flat is completely clean and the room is in a livable condition again.
    i hope your friends place has tempered safety glass, was the glass shards in hundreds of small not so dangerous pieces or large sharp glass which is dangerous

  6. #6

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    Best to have a conversation with the landlord.

    If the contents (bed etc) belong to the landlord, he may be able to claim. Not much you can do if you own the destroyed content.

    Also, owners / landlord insurance covers "loss of rent" - so he may be covered and should be able to pass the benefits to you. Again, assuming he has such insurance.

    Best of luck.


  7. #7

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    You have no action against the landlord for damage to the mattress or belongings. You and your flatmates should have your own home contents insurance policy to cover this damage. The extent of the landlord's responsibility is set out in the lease, and beyond repairing the window and perhaps painting the walls and repairing the floors that is it. The landlord might be willing to send someone to help clean up the damage as part of a repaint, but not paying the rent is a recipe for trouble.

    jimbo, shri and spode like this.

  8. #8

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    Did you tape up the windows or anything to reduce the chances of the windows completely smashing etc?

    imparanoic likes this.

  9. #9

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    We didn't tape them up and he did not advise anything.

    I understand that personal belongings is on our part and we do not have insurance for it. The main concern is that his room especially is not livable and surely we should not pay rent for a room that does not meet this requirement.


  10. #10

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    Quote Originally Posted by Cegaiga:
    We didn't tape them up and he did not advise anything.

    I understand that personal belongings is on our part and we do not have insurance for it. The main concern is that his room especially is not livable and surely we should not pay rent for a room that does not meet this requirement.
    It wasnt the landlord's negligence that caused the typhoon damage. You can of course "ask" the landlord to give you a discount on rent while its being repaired, but your flatmate can still stay in the living room or something. Its not like the flat burnt down and you cant use any part of it.
    jimbo and gigglinggal like this.

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